Greg Jennings smooths choppy waters

Former Packers receivers speaks with love and respect of old team

GREEN BAY—Greg Jennings said he was joking.

“That’s behind me. It was just really messing around with the guys. I have the utmost respect for that organization and the guys in that organization. Aaron said, ‘Greg who?’ So I was just messing with him about that. They know, I know. I had seven awesome years over there and I respect everyone within that organization. Those guys that are currently there, I still have relationships with them,” Jennings told what’s believed to be the largest Packers media assemblage for a conference call since Brett Favre entertained the group.

The media came to ask Jennings about comments he had made this past summer that didn’t sound playful. Those comments questioned Rodgers’ leadership and accused the Packers of brainwashing.

On Wednesday, Jennings made love, not war.

“If Aaron knows me like he’s known me the past seven years, then he knows I’m not one of those guys that wishes ill on anyone or just tries to stand out and be apart from the team. Hopefully, he knows that. Again, I can’t live in the past of what was said. I have to move on. I know and you guys know that he’s a great quarterback. He’s the best playing in the game, so regardless of what anyone says, that’s not going to change and that hasn’t changed,” Jennings added.

This Sunday night in Minneapolis, Jennings and the 1-5 Vikings will host the 4-2 Packers in what will be the final game in the Metrodome between the two rivals. This was expected to be a game of critical importance in the NFC North race, but the Vikings’ slow start has taken much of the luster off the game.

“We’ll miss the Metrodome,” Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier said. (It’s) been good for our team, good for our organization. I would like to be able to get this final win against the Green Bay Packers the last time that we’re going to play at (the Metrodome). The crowd noise has always been good for us. Hopefully, there’s not too much green and gold up there; hope a lot of purple.”

News surfaced out of Minnesota on Wednesday that Josh Freeman has a concussion and he could be replaced at quarterback by Christian Ponder. Frazier, however, touted Freeman in Wednesday’s conference call and didn’t mention the possibility that Freeman wouldn’t play.

Much about the Vikings would seem to be unsettled. Jennings did his best to settle his situation with his former Packers teammate and even the team’s fans.

“Do I still have ties there? Absolutely. Do we still have connections there? Absolutely. I still have a love for those fans and for that organization, absolutely, and the guys within that locker room, but I’m developing new ties and new relationships over here,” Jennings said.

Asked if he thought the joke went too far why didn’t he reach out to his former teammates, Jennings said: “That’s between me and the guys. I did reach out to some of the guys and I still talk to some of the guys. Like I’ve said, I addressed that, it’s over, it’s done. I love you guys.”